Magnetic disk controller to process plural data sets for recording onto a medium

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus describe processing of data for recording to a storage device. An apparatus includes, in at least one aspect, a plurality of buffers and circuitry configured to encode data stored in one buffer of the plurality of buffers concurrently with storing data in another buffer of the plurality of buffers and to write the encoded data from the one buffer to a storage device concurrently with encoding the stored data in the other buffer.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/012,321 titled “MAGNETIC DISK CONTROLLER AND METHOD”, filed on Feb.1, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/889,199, filed Feb. 9, 2007, and the benefit of Japanesepatent application serial number 2007-023008, filed Feb. 1, 2007. Theentire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to information storage.

BACKGROUND ART

A magnetic disk controller which, when reading data corresponding toeach sector from a magnetic disk apparatus, transfers ID informationregarding the sector before transferring the data of the sector has beenproposed as, for example, in Japanese Patent Application publication No.7-141113.

When writing data from a host into a magnetic disk, a magnetic diskcontroller obtains the address of a sector to which the data is to bewritten, and calculates an error check code based on the obtainedaddress and the data to be written into the sector. Hence, the magneticdisk controller can not write the data and error check code into thesector immediately after obtaining the address of the sector.Accordingly, the magnetic disk controller keeps on hold the writing ofthe data and error check code until the sector comes back to theposition of the magnetic head, which delays the writing of the data anderror check code.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to information storage.

In a first aspect, a magnetic disk controller includes an interface thatreceives and transmits data to be written into a magnetic disk. Themagnetic disk controller includes a first buffer and a second buffereach of which temporarily stores data that is received from theinterface and is to be written into at least one sector of the magneticdisk. The magnetic disk controller includes an encoding unit thatencodes the data stored in any of the first buffer and the second bufferinto data representing a signal to be applied to the magnetic disk. Themagnetic disk controller includes a buffer control unit that, whilewriting the data received from the interface into at least one of thefirst buffer and the second buffer, reads the data from the otherbuffer, causes the encoding unit to encode the read data, and stores theencoded data into the other buffer. A data width M between the encodingunit and the first and second buffers is at least equal to twice a datawidth N between the interface and the first and second buffers.

Implementations can include any, all or none of the following features.The encoding unit can include an encoding core unit that encodes thedata; a read cache that reads the data, in units of the data width M,from at least one of the first and second buffers, divides the read datainto pieces of data each having a data width smaller than the data widthM, and outputs the pieces of data to the encoding core unit; and a writecache that combines a plurality of pieces of data which are separatelyreceived from the encoding core unit, and writes the combined data, inunits of the data width M, into one of the first and second buffers. Asum of a data reading cycle from the first and second buffers to theencoding unit and a data writing cycle from the encoding unit to thefirst and second buffers can be substantially equal to a data writingcycle from the interface to the first and second buffers. The magneticdisk controller can include a third buffer that temporarily stores theencoded data which corresponds to at least one sector; and a writingcontrol unit that reads the encoded data from the third buffer andwrites the encoded data into the magnetic disk, wherein a sum of a datareading cycle from the first and second buffers to the encoding unit anda data writing cycle from the encoding unit to the first and secondbuffers can be substantially equal to a data reading cycle from thethird buffer to the writing control unit. The buffer control unit canenable the first, second and third buffers to be used in rotation, bycausing the first buffer to operate in a similar fashion to the secondbuffer, causing the second buffer to operate in a similar fashion to thethird buffer, and causing the third buffer to operate in a similarfashion to the first buffer. Each of the buffers can be caused tocontain respective data portions that are transferred between thebuffers according to a predetermined sequence in which each data portionin an unencoded form is stored in one of the buffers and subsequentlythe data portion in an encoded form is stored in another one of thebuffers, and is subsequently written to the magnetic disk. The magneticdisk controller can include a third buffer, and the data in theunencoded form can include at least former and latter portions of first,second, third and fourth data, and the data in the encoded form caninclude at least encoded former and latter portions of the first,second, third and fourth data, and the predetermined sequence caninclude at least: a first phase during which the former portion of thefirst data is stored in the first buffer; a second phase during whichthe latter portion of the first data is stored in the first buffer andthe encoded former portion of the first data is stored in the secondbuffer; a third phase during which the former portion of the second datais stored in the first buffer, the encoded former portion of the firstdata is stored in the second buffer, and the encoded latter portion ofthe first data is stored in the second buffer; a fourth phase duringwhich the latter portion of the second data is stored in the firstbuffer, the encoded latter portion of the first data is stored in thesecond buffer, and the encoded former portion of the second data isstored in the third buffer; a fifth phase during which the formerportion of the third data is stored in the first buffer, the encodedformer portion of the second data is stored in the third buffer, and theencoded latter portion of the second data is stored in the third buffer;a sixth phase during which the latter portion of the third data isstored in the first buffer, the encoded former portion of the third datais stored in the second buffer, and the encoded latter portion of thesecond data is stored in the third buffer; and a seventh phase duringwhich the former portion of the fourth data is stored in the firstbuffer, the encoded former portion of the third data is stored in thesecond buffer, and the encoded latter portion of the third data isstored in the second buffer.

In a second aspect, a method of controlling writing of data into amagnetic disk includes temporarily storing, into each of a first bufferand a second buffer, data which is received from an interface configuredto receive and transmit data to be written into the magnetic disk andwhich is to be written into at least one sector of the magnetic disk.The method includes encoding the data stored in any of the first bufferand the second buffer into data representing a signal to be applied tothe magnetic disk. The method includes, while writing the data receivedfrom the interface into at least one of the first buffer and the secondbuffer, reading the data from another buffer, subjecting the read datato the encoding, and then storing the encoded data into the otherbuffer. A data width M between an encoding unit and the first and secondbuffers is at least equal to twice a data width N between the interfaceand the first and second buffers.

In a third aspect, a magnetic disk controller includes means fortemporarily storing, into each of a first buffer and a second buffer,data which is received from an interface configured to receive andtransmit data to be written into a magnetic disk and which is to bewritten into at least one sector of the magnetic disk. The magnetic diskcontroller includes means for encoding the data stored in any of thefirst buffer and the second buffer into data representing a signal to beapplied to the magnetic disk. The magnetic disk controller includesmeans for, while writing the data received from the interface into atleast one of the first buffer and the second buffer, reading the datafrom another buffer, subjecting the read data to the encoding, and thenstoring the encoded data into the other buffer. A data width Min themeans for encoding is at least equal to twice a data width N between theinterface and the first and second buffers.

In a fourth aspect, a magnetic disk controller includes an interfacethat receives and transmits data to be written into a magnetic disk. Themagnetic disk controller includes a first buffer and a second buffereach of which temporarily stores data that is to be written into atleast one sector of the magnetic disk. The magnetic disk controllerincludes an encoding unit that encodes the data stored in any of thefirst buffer and the second buffer into data representing a signal to beapplied to the magnetic disk. A data width M between the encoding unitand the first and second buffers is at least equal to twice a data widthN between the interface and the first and second buffers.

In a fifth aspect, a method of controlling writing of data into amagnetic disk includes temporarily storing, into each of a first bufferand a second buffer, data received from an interface which is to bewritten into at least one sector of a magnetic disk. The method includesencoding the data stored in any of the first buffer and the secondbuffer into data representing a signal to be applied to the magneticdisk. A data width M used in the encoding is at least equal to twice adata width N between the interface and the first and second buffers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of amagnetic disk controller 10.

FIG. 2 shows writing of data into a magnetic disk 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of anencoding unit 150.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a bufferunit 140.

FIG. 5 shows writing of data into the magnetic disk 20.

FIG. 6 shows writing of data into the magnetic disk 20.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thebuffer unit 140.

FIG. 8 shows writing of data into the magnetic disk 20.

FIG. 9 shows writing of data into the magnetic disk 20.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described. The embodiments do notlimit the scope of the invention according to the claims, and all thecombinations of the features described in the embodiments are notnecessarily essential.

FIG. 1 presents an example of an example functional configuration of amagnetic disk controller 10. The magnetic disk controller 10 herereceives data from a host 40, and writes the data into a magnetic disk20. In other words, the magnetic disk controller 10 controls writing ofdata performed via a head 30 into the magnetic disk 20. The host 40 canbe a host computer, and can execute a predetermined command and datatransmission/reception, for example by accessing a register group of amagnetic disk apparatus including therein the magnetic disk 20. Theregister group may include a control block register group and a commandblock register group.

An advantage of the magnetic disk controller 10 relating to the presentembodiment is to write data and an error check code into a magnetic disksubstantially immediately after generating the error check code based onthe data.

The magnetic disk controller 10 in this example includes therein areading control unit 100, an index detecting unit 105, a timing controlunit 107, a writing control unit 110, a decoding unit 120, an addressobtaining unit 125, an address adding unit 127, an address generatingunit 130, a buffer control unit 135, a buffer unit 140, an error checkcode generating unit 145, an encoding unit 150, an interface 160, and anencoding method determining unit 165. It should be noted here that themagnetic disk 20 is a hard disk, for example.

The interface 160 transfers data to or from the magnetic disk 20.Specifically speaking, the interface 160 in some implementationsreceives, from the host 40, the data to be written into the magneticdisk 20, and transfers the data to the buffer control unit 135 andencoding method determining unit 165. Also, the interface 160 in someimplementations receives data from the decoding unit 120, and transfersthe data to the host 40. The index detecting unit 105 in someimplementations detects, via the head 30, the index of the magnetic disk20. The index detecting unit 105 in some implementations provides asignal representing a timing of the detection of the index to theaddress obtaining unit 125 and timing control unit 107.

In some implementations, the address generating unit 130 sequentiallygenerates a physical address of a sector in accordance with a timeperiod from the detection of the index by the index detecting unit 105.To be specific, the address generating unit 130 can receive, via theaddress obtaining unit 125, the signal representing the timing of thedetection of the index from the index detecting unit 105, andsequentially generate a physical address of a sector in synchronizationwith the rotation of the magnetic disk 20. The address generating unit130 can sequentially provide the generated physical address to the errorcheck code generating unit 145. The address obtaining unit 125 canobtain a physical address on which reading data is stored. The addressobtaining unit 125 can provide the obtained physical address to theaddress adding unit 127 and error check code generating unit 145. Theaddress obtaining unit 125 can provide the signal representing thetiming of the detection of the index, which can be received from theindex detecting unit 105, to the address generating unit 130.

In some implementations, the error check code generating unit 145generates a plurality of error check codes respectively for detectingerrors of a plurality of pieces of write data. Specifically speaking,the error check code generating unit 145 can generate, after the indexdetecting unit 105 detects the index, a first error check code (CRCcode) for first write data based on the first write data and a firstphysical address of a first sector subsequent to the detected index.Here, the error check code generating unit 145 may generate an errorcheck code based on encoded data created by the encoding unit 150. Theerror check code generating unit 145 may generate, after the indexdetecting unit 105 detects the index, a first error correction code (ECCcode) for the first write data based on the first write data and thefirst physical address of the first sector subsequent to the detectedindex.

The error check code generating unit 145 may generate the first errorcheck code for the first write data based on the first write data andthe first physical address of the first sector which is adjacent to thedetected index. The error check code generating unit 145 may generatethe first error check code for the first write data based on the firstwrite data and the first physical address of the first sector which isgenerated by the address generating unit 130 in synchronization with therotation of the magnetic disk 20. In addition, the error check codegenerating unit 145 can further generate a second error check code forsecond write data based on the second write data and a second physicaladdress of a second sector which is generated by the address generatingunit 130. The error check code generating unit 145 can provide agenerated error check code and/or a generated error correction code tothe buffer control unit 135.

In some implementations, the timing control unit 107 controls the timingat which the writing control unit 110 writes data into the magnetic disk20, in accordance with the timing at which the index detecting unit 105detects the index. The writing control unit 110 can write the datareceived from the buffer control unit 135 into the magnetic disk 20 viathe head 30, at the timing controlled by the timing control unit 107. Tobe specific, the writing control unit 110 can control the head 30 so asto write the first error check code generated by the error check codegenerating unit 145, the first write data and the first physical addressinto a second sector subsequent to the first sector.

In some implementations, the writing control unit 110 causes the firsterror check code generated by the error check code generating unit 145,the first write data and the first physical address to be written intothe second sector which is adjacent to the first sector on a sideopposite from the index detected by the index detecting unit 105. Thewriting control unit 110 can cause the second error check code generatedby the error check code generating unit 145, the second write data andthe second physical address to be written into a third sector subsequentto the second sector. The writing control unit 110 can cause the seconderror check code generated by the error check code generating unit 145,the second write data and the second physical address to be written intothe third sector which is adjacent to the second sector on a sideopposite from the first sector.

In some implementations, the address adding unit 127 adds apredetermined value to the physical address obtained by the addressobtaining unit 125. For example, the address adding unit 127 can add “1”to the physical address obtained by the address obtaining unit 125. Whenthe error check code generating unit 145 requires a longer time periodthan a predetermined time period to generate an error correction codeand/or an error check code, the address adding unit 127 may add aninteger other than “1” (for example, integers larger than “1”, such as“2” and/or “3”) to the physical address obtained by the addressobtaining unit 125. The address adding unit 127 can provide the resultof the addition to the reading control unit 100. The reading controlunit 100 can cause data to be read from a sector corresponding to thephysical address generated by the address adding unit 127. The readingcontrol unit 100 can provide the read data to the decoding unit 120. Inother implementations, the address adding unit 127 can convert thephysical address in another way, such as by subtraction, multiplicationor division, or any other conversion operation.

In some implementations, the buffer unit 140 includes therein at leastone buffer for temporarily storing data to be written into the magneticdisk 20. The buffer unit 140 can be controlled by the buffer controlunit 135 so as to cause the at least one buffer to store temporarily thedata to be written into the magnetic disk 20. The buffer unit 140 canprovide the data stored on the buffer to the buffer control unit 135.

In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controlsstoring/reading data onto/from the buffer included in the buffer unit140. The buffer control unit 135 can provide the data received from thebuffer unit 140 to the encoding unit 150, and can cause the encoded datafrom the encoding unit 150 to be stored onto the buffer included in thebuffer unit 140. The buffer control unit 135 can store the error checkcode generated by the error check code generating unit 145 onto thebuffer included in the buffer unit 140. The buffer control unit 135 canread the data stored on the buffer included in the buffer unit 140, andcan provide the read data to the writing control unit 110.

In some implementations, the encoding method determining unit 165receives data to be written into the magnetic disk 20 from the interface160, and determines an encoding method based on the received data. Insome implementations, the encoding method determining unit 165 maytransfer, to the encoding unit 150, the encoding method designated inadvance by the user, independently from the data. The encoding methoddetermining unit 165 can determine encoding methods to be used by theencoding unit 150 to encode a plurality of pieces of write data to bewritten into a plurality of sectors included in the magnetic disk 20,for example in such a manner that the encoding methods correspond to thepieces of write data in a one-to-one correspondence. In someimplementations, the encoding method determining unit 165 can determinean appropriate encoding method by varying one or more of the factorsincluding a minimum magnetization reversal interval, a maximummagnetization reversal interval, a bit length of original data and a bitlength of encoded data, to name a few examples. For example, theencoding method determining unit 165 may choose an encoding method withthe use of RLL codes. The encoding method determining unit 165 canprovide information representing the determined encoding methods to theencoding unit 150.

In some implementations, the encoding unit 150 sequentially encodes theplurality of pieces of write data to be written into the plurality ofsectors included in the magnetic disk 20 to create a plurality of piecesof data each representing a signal to be applied to the magnetic disk20. For example, the encoding unit 150 can use the encoding methoddetermined by the encoding method determining unit 165 in order toencode and thus convert the data (original data) received from thebuffer control unit 135 into a different sequence of data that has alower error rate than the original data. The encoding unit 150 canprovide the encoded data to the buffer control unit 135 and error checkcode generating unit 145. The decoding unit 120 can decode the encodeddata stored on the magnetic disk 20, which is received from the readingcontrol unit 100, into the original data, and can provide the decodeddata to the interface 160. In this example, the data width is M betweenthe encoding unit 150 and buffer control unit 135, and the data width isN between the interface 160 and the buffer control unit 135, where thedata width M may be equal to or larger than twice the data width N. Inother implementations one or more other widths may be used.

The writing control unit 110 can write the error check code generated bythe error check code generating unit 145 into the second sectorsubsequent to the first sector. In some implementations, this means thatthe error check code for the first sector is not stored on the firstsector. The magnetic disk controller 10 may not need to hold the writingof the error check code for the first sector until the magnetic disk 20rotates so that the first sector comes back to the head 30. As aconsequence, the present embodiment can reduce a time period from whenwrite data is obtained to when the error check code is written into themagnetic disk 20.

FIG. 2 shows, as an example, writing of data into the magnetic disk 20that can be performed by the magnetic disk controller 10. The magneticdisk controller 10 can store the first error check code for the firstwrite data, which can be generated based on the first write data and thefirst physical address (e.g. physical address “0”) of the first sector(e.g. the sector 214 associated with the physical address “0”)subsequent to the index 200 detected by the index detecting unit 105,onto the sector 216 associated with the physical address “1” whichfollows the first sector. The magnetic disk controller 10 can write thefirst physical address and the first write data of the first sector 214onto the sector 216 following the first sector 214.

In some implementations, the magnetic disk controller 10 may write thefirst error check code, first write data and first physical address, notinto the sector 216 which immediately follows the first sector (e.g.sector 214), but into a sector (e.g. sector 220) which follows thesector 214 with a predetermined number of sectors therebetween. In thesame manner, the magnetic disk controller 10 stores data in terms of thesectors 210, 212, 216, 218 and 220.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional configuration of the encodingunit 150. The encoding unit 150 here includes therein a reading cache152, an encoding core unit 154 and a writing cache 156. The readingcache 152 can read the data stored on the buffer included in the bufferunit 140, for example in units of the data width M via the buffercontrol unit 135. The reading cache 152 can then divide the read datahaving the data width M into pieces of data each having a data widthsmaller than the data width M, and can output the pieces of data to theencoding core unit 154.

In some implementations, the encoding core unit 154 encodes the data.The encoding core unit 154 can encode the data received from the readingcache 152 by using the encoding method determined by the encoding methoddetermining unit 165. The encoding core unit 154 can provide the encodeddata to the writing cache 156. The writing cache 156 can combine piecesof data which are received one at a time from the encoding core unit154, and then write the data into the buffer included in the buffer unit140 in units of the data width M. In some implementations, the writingcache 156 provides the data received from the encoding core unit 154 tothe error check code generating unit 145.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a functional configuration of the buffer unit140. The buffer unit 140 here includes therein a first buffer 141, asecond buffer 142 and a third buffer 143. One or more of the first,second and third buffers 141, 142 and 143 can be controlled by thebuffer control unit 135 so as to store data thereon. As another example,the first, second and third buffers 141, 142 and 143 can be controlledby the buffer control unit 135 so as to provide data to the buffercontrol unit 135. One or more of the first, second and third buffers141, 142 and 143 can temporarily store thereon data to be written intoat least one sector of the magnetic disk 20, where the data can bereceived from the interface 160. As another example, one or more of thefirst, second and third buffers 141, 142 and 143 can temporarily storeencoded data corresponding to at least one sector.

For example, the first buffer 141 can store thereon the first write datawhich has been encoded by the encoding unit 150 and is to be writteninto the first sector of the magnetic disk 20, and the first error checkcode for the first write data which is generated by the error check codegenerating unit 145. More specifically, the first buffer 141 can storethe first error check code onto successive storage areas, after storingthe first write data which has been encoded by the encoding unit 150onto successive storage areas.

In some implementations, the second buffer 142 stores thereon the secondwrite data which has been encoded by the encoding unit 150 and is to bewritten into the second sector of the magnetic disk 20, and the seconderror check code for the second write data which is generated by theerror check code generating unit 145. For example, the second buffer 142can store thereon the second write data and second error check codewhich are to be written into the second sector subsequent to the firstsector of the magnetic disk 20. For example, the second buffer 142 canstore thereon the second write data and second error check code whichare to be written into the second sector which is adjacent andsubsequent to the first sector of the magnetic disk.

In some implementations, the third buffer 143 stores thereon the thirdwrite data which has been encoded by the encoding unit 150 and is to bewritten into the third sector of the magnetic disk 20, and the thirderror check code for the third write data which is generated by theerror check code generating unit 145. For example, the third buffer 143can store thereon the third write data and third error check code whichare to be written into the third sector subsequent to the second sectorof the magnetic disk 20. For example, the third buffer 143 can storethereon the third write data and third error check code which are to bewritten into the third sector which is adjacent and subsequent to thesecond sector of the magnetic disk 20.

When the buffer unit 140 is configured in the above-described manner insome implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controls, in a firstperiod, the first write data and first error check code stored on thefirst buffer 141 to be written into the first sector of the magneticdisk 20, concurrently with controlling the second write data which hasbeen encoded by the encoding unit 150 and the second error check codegenerated by the error check code generating unit 145 to be stored ontothe second buffer 142. Here, the buffer control unit 135 may read andoutput, one at a time and alternately, portions of the first write datastored on the first buffer 141 and portions of the first error checkcode stored on the first buffer 141. The buffer control unit 135 cancause the output first write data and first error check code to bewritten into the first sector of the magnetic disk 20. The first errorcheck code generated by the error check code generating unit 145 can, insome implementations, be stored on the first buffer 141 and written intothe first sector of the magnetic disk 20 without being encoded.

In some implementations, when outputting the first error check code andfirst write data, the buffer control unit 135 may sequentially insert apredetermined amount of the first error check code into the first writedata at predetermined intervals. For example, assume that the firstwrite data has a data amount of 512 bytes. The buffer control unit 135can partition the first error check code in units of 5 to 11 into piecesof data, for example, and can insert the pieces of data into the firstwrite data when outputting the first write data and first error checkcode. If the first write data has a data amount of 1,024 bytes, thebuffer control unit 135 in some implementations partitions the firsterror check code in units of 8 to 22 into pieces of data, for example,and can insert the pieces of data into the first write data whenoutputting the first write data and first error check code. In someimplementations if the first write data has a data amount of 4,096bytes, the buffer control unit 135 partitions the first error check codein units of 8 to 20 into pieces of data, for example, and can insert thepieces of data into the first write data when outputting the first writedata and first error check code. In other implementations, one or moreother numbers of units and/or other data amount(s) can be used.

In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controls, in thefirst period, the first write data and first error check code stored onthe first buffer 141 to be written into the first sector of the magneticdisk, and controls the second write data which has been encoded by theencoding unit 150 and the second error check code generated by the errorcheck code generating unit 145 to be stored onto the second buffer 142,concurrently with controlling the third write data which has not beenencoded by the encoding unit 150 to be written into the third buffer143. In a second period following the first period, the buffer controlunit 135 can control the second write data and second error check codestored on the second buffer 142 to be written into the second sector ofthe magnetic disk 20, concurrently with controlling the third write datawhich has been encoded by the encoding unit 150 and the third errorcheck code generated by the error check code generating unit 145 to bestored onto the third buffer 143, to replace the third write data whichhas not been encoded by the encoding unit 150.

In some implementations, concurrently with the buffer control unit 135controlling the third write data which has not been encoded by theencoding unit 150 to be stored onto the third buffer 143, the encodingmethod determining unit 165 can receive the third write data anddetermine the encoding method to be used by the encoding unit 150 toencode the third write data. The encoding method determining unit 165can determine the encoding method to be one of, for example, RZ method,RB method, NRZ method, PM method, PE method, FM method and the like. Theencoding unit 150 can encode the data stored on the first and secondbuffers 141 and 142 into encoded data representing signals to be appliedto the magnetic disk 20.

In the above-described case, while writing the data received from theinterface 160 into at least one of the first and second buffers 141 and142, the buffer control unit 135 can read data from the other buffer.Following this, in some implementations, the buffer control unit 135uses the encoding unit 150 to encode the read data, and stores theencoded data into the other buffer. For example, the data width Mbetween the encoding unit 150 and the first and second buffers 141 and142 may be equal to or larger than twice the data width N between theinterface 160 and the first and second buffers 141 and 142.

In some implementations, the reading cache 152 in the encoding unit 150reads the data from the first and second buffers 141 and 142 in units ofthe data width M. The reading cache 152 can then divide the read datainto pieces of data having a smaller data width than the data width M,and can output the pieces of data to the encoding core unit 154.Subsequently, the writing cache 156 can combine pieces of data which arerespectively received on separate occasions from the encoding core unit154. The writing cache 156 can then write the combined pieces of data inunits of the data width M onto one of the first and second buffers 141and 142.

In some implementations, the magnetic disk controller 10 is designed sothat the sum of the data reading cycle from the first and second buffers141 and 142 to the encoding unit 150 and the data writing cycle from theencoding unit 150 to the first and second buffers 141 and 142 issubstantially equal to the data writing cycle from the interface 160 tothe first and second buffers 141 and 142.

In some implementations, the writing control unit 110 reads the encodeddata from the third buffer 143 and writes the read encoded data into themagnetic disk 20. For example, the magnetic disk controller 10 can bedesigned so that the sum of the data reading cycle from the first andsecond buffers 141 and 142 to the encoding unit 150 and the data writingcycle from the encoding unit 150 to the first and second buffers 141 and142 is substantially equal to the data reading cycle from the thirdbuffer 143 to the writing control unit 110.

In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controls the firstbuffer 141 to function in the same manner as the second buffer 142,controls the second buffer 142 to function in the same manner as thethird buffer 143, and controls the third buffer 143 to function in thesame manner as the first buffer 141. In this way, the buffer controlunit 135 can use the first, second and third buffers 141, 142 and 143 inrotation in some implementations.

FIG. 5 shows, as an example, writing of data into the magnetic disk 20performed by, for example, the magnetic disk controller 10. To beginwith, data (e.g. data A) can be stored onto the first buffer 141 in aphase 600 (S100). Subsequently, data (e.g. data B) can be stored ontothe second buffer 142 in a phase 602 (S105). In synchronization with thetiming at which the data is stored onto the second buffer 142, the datastored on the first buffer 141 can be encoded by the encoding unit 150,and then stored back onto the first buffer 141 (S110). Also, an errorcheck code and/or error correction code can be generated by the errorcheck code generating unit 145 for the data stored on the first buffer141, and can be stored onto the first buffer 141 together with theencoded data (S110).

In a phase 604 following the phase 602, the error check code and/orerror correction code stored on the first buffer 141 can be stored ontothe magnetic disk 20 together with the data, in a state of beingpartitioned and inserted at predetermined intervals (S115). Meanwhile,data (e.g. data C) can be stored onto the third buffer 143 (S120). Insynchronization with the timing at which the data is stored onto thethird buffer 143, the data stored on the second buffer 142 can beencoded by the encoding unit 150, and stored back onto the second buffer142 (S125). As another example, an error check code and/or errorcorrection code can be generated by the error check code generating unit145 for the data stored on the second buffer 142, and can be stored ontothe second buffer 142 (S125).

FIG. 6 shows, as an example, writing of data into the magnetic disk 20performed by, for example, the magnetic disk controller 10. To beginwith, the buffer control unit 135, in some implementations, controlsdata (e.g. data A) to be stored onto the first buffer 141 in the phase600 (S200). In the following phase 602, the data A stored on the firstbuffer 141 can be encoded by the encoding unit 150. The buffer controlunit 135 can control the encoded data A′ created by the encoding unit150 to be stored onto the first buffer 141 (S205). In synchronizationwith the timing of storing the encoded data A′ onto the first buffer141, the buffer control unit 135 can control data (e.g. data B) to bestored onto the second buffer 142 (S210).

In the phase 604, the buffer control unit 135, in some implementations,controls the encoded data A′ stored on the first buffer 141 to bewritten into the magnetic disk 20 (S215). As another example, the data Bstored on the second buffer 142 can be encoded by the encoding unit 150.The buffer control unit 135 can control the encoded data B′ created bythe encoding unit 150 to be stored onto the second buffer 142 (S220). Insynchronization with the timing of storing the encoded data B′ onto thesecond buffer 142, the buffer control unit 135, in some implementationscontrols data (e.g. data C) to be stored onto the third buffer 143(S230).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a functional configuration of the buffer unit140. The buffer unit 140 here includes therein the first, second andthird buffers 141, 142 and 143. The first buffer 141 here includestherein a first storage area 144 and a second storage area 146.

In some implementations, the first buffer 141 includes therein the firststorage area 144 for sequentially storing former half data, out offormer half data and latter half data constituting each of a pluralityof pieces of write data to be written into the plurality of sectors ofthe magnetic disk 20. As another example, the first buffer 141 includestherein the second storage area 146 for sequentially storing the latterhalf data included in each of the plurality of pieces of write data. Insome implementations, as long as the sum of the data amount of theformer half data and the data amount of the latter half data is equal tothe data amount of data to be written into each sector, the data amountof the former half data and the data amount of the latter half data maybe designed different from each other.

In some implementations, the first buffer 141 stores former half datareceived from the buffer control unit 135 onto the first storage area144. After this, the first buffer 141 can store latter half datareceived from the buffer control unit 135 onto the second storage area146. Concurrently with the latter half data of the first write data tobe written into the first sector of the magnetic disk 20 is being storedonto the second storage area 146, the encoding unit 150 can receive,from the buffer control unit 135, the former half data of the firstwrite data, which may have been stored on the first storage area 144.Subsequently, the encoding unit 150 can encode the received former halfdata into data representing a signal to be applied to the magnetic disk20.

In some implementations the second buffer 142 receives the former halfdata of the first write data, which has been encoded by the encodingunit 150, from the buffer control unit 135 and stores the former halfdata thereon. After storing thereon the former half data and latter halfdata of the first write data which have been encoded by the encodingunit 150, the second buffer 142 can receive the first error check codefor the first write data, which is generated by the error check codegenerating unit 145, from the buffer control unit 135, and can storethereon the first error check code. For example, after receiving thefirst write data including the former half data and latter half datawhich have been encoded by the encoding unit 150 from the buffer controlunit 135 and storing the first write data onto successive storage areas,the second buffer 142 can store the first error check code ontosuccessive storage areas.

In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controls the formerhalf data of the first write data which is stored on the second buffer142 to be written into the first sector of the magnetic disk 20. Forexample, concurrently with the former half data of the second write datato be written into the second sector of the magnetic disk 20 beingstored onto the first storage area 144, the encoding unit 150 canreceive the latter half data of the first write data, which has beenstored on the second storage area 146, from the buffer control unit 135,and encodes the latter half data. After storing thereon the former halfdata of the first write data, the second buffer 142 stores thereon thelatter half data of the first write data which has been encoded by theencoding unit 150.

Following this, after controlling the former half data of the firstwrite data to be written into the magnetic disk 20, the buffer controlunit 135, in some implementations, controls the latter half data of thefirst write data, which is stored on the second buffer 142, to bewritten into the first sector of the magnetic disk 20. For example,along with the former half data and latter half data of the first writedata, the buffer control unit 135 can controls the first error checkcode which is stored on the second buffer 142 to be written into thefirst sector of the magnetic disk 20. For example, the buffer controlunit 135 can read and output, one at a time and alternately, portions ofthe first write data and first error check code which are stored on thesecond buffer 142. Then, the buffer control unit 135 controls the outputfirst write data and first error check code to be written into the firstsector of the magnetic disk 20.

In this case, the first error check code generated by the error checkcode generating unit 145 may in some implementations be stored onto thesecond buffer 142 and written into the first sector of the magnetic disk20 without being encoded. When outputting the first error check code andfirst write data, the buffer control unit 135 may insert a predetermineddata amount of the first error check code into the first write data atpredetermined intervals.

Concurrently with the latter half data of the second write data beingstored onto the second storage area 146, the encoding unit 150 canreceive the former half data of the second write data which has beenstored on the first storage area 144 from the buffer control unit 135and encodes the former half data. After this, concurrently with theformer half data of the third write data to be written onto the thirdsector of the magnetic disk 20 being stored onto the first storage area144, the encoding unit 150 can encode the latter half data of the secondwrite data which has been stored on the second storage area 146.

After receiving the former half data of the second write data which hasbeen encoded by the encoding unit 150 from the buffer control unit 135and storing the former half data, the third buffer 143 in someimplementations receives the latter half data of the second write datawhich has been encoded by the encoding unit 150 from the buffer controlunit 135 and stores the latter half data. Subsequently, aftercontrolling the first write data which is stored on the second buffer142 to be written into the first sector, the buffer control unit 135 cancontrol the second write data which is stored on the third buffer 143 tobe written into the second sector.

The encoding method determining unit 165 in some implementationsdetermines encoding methods to be used by the encoding unit 150 toencode the plurality of pieces of write data to be written into theplurality of sectors of the magnetic disk 20, for example, so that eachof the encoding methods corresponds to the former half data or latterhalf data of a corresponding one of the plurality of pieces of writedata. For example, concurrently with the former half data of the firstwrite data being stored onto the first storage area 144, the encodingmethod determining unit 165 can receive the former half data of thefirst write data, and determine the encoding method to be used by theencoding unit 150 to encode the former half data of the first writedata. As another example, concurrently with that the latter half data ofthe first write data is being stored onto the second storage area 146,the encoding method determining unit 165 can receive the latter halfdata of the first write data, and can determine the encoding method tobe used by the encoding unit 150 to encode the latter half data of thefirst write data.

FIG. 8 shows, as an example, writing of data into the magnetic disk 20that can be performed by, for example, the magnetic disk controller 10.To begin with, in a phase 900, the buffer control unit 135 can storeformer half data (e.g. data A-1) onto the first storage area 144 (S300).In the following phase 910, the buffer control unit 135 can control thedata A-1 which is stored on the first storage area 144 to be encoded bythe encoding unit 150, and can control the encoded data A-1 to be storedonto the second buffer 142 (S305 and S310). For example, the buffercontrol unit 135 can control the encoded data A-1 to be provided fromthe encoding unit 150 to the error check code generating unit 145.

In some implementations, in the phase 910, the buffer control unit 135controls latter half data (e.g. data A-2, where the data A-1 and dataA-2 together form one piece of data A) to be stored onto the secondstorage area 146 (S315). At a timing 800 between the phase 910 and aphase 920, the buffer control unit 135 can control the data A-2 which isstored on the second storage area 146 to be encoded by the encoding unit150, and can control the encoded data A-2 to be stored onto the secondbuffer 142 (S320 and S325). As another example, the buffer control unit135 can control the encoded data A-2 to be provided from the encodingunit 150 to the error check code generating unit 145.

In the following phase 920, the buffer control unit 135 in someimplementations can control data B-1, which can be a different formerhalf data than the data A-1, to be stored onto the first storage area144 (S340). Meanwhile, the error check code generating unit 145 cangenerate an error check code and/or error correction code based on theencoded data A-1 and data A-2. The buffer control unit 135 can store theerror check code and/or error correction code generated by the errorcheck code generating unit 145 into the second buffer 142 (S330).

At a timing 805 between the phase 920 and a phase 930, the buffercontrol unit 135 in some implementations stores data B-2 (the data B-1and data B-2 together form one piece of data B), which can be adifferent latter half data than the data A-2, onto the second storagearea 146 (S355). Meanwhile, the buffer control unit 135 in someimplementations controls the data B-1 which is stored on the firststorage area 144 to be encoded by the encoding unit 150, and controlsthe encoded data B-1 to be stored onto the second buffer 142 (S345 andS350). As another example, the buffer control unit 135 can control theencoded data B-1 to be provided from the encoding unit 150 to the errorcheck code generating unit 145.

At the timing 805, before storing the encoded data B-1 onto the secondbuffer 142, the buffer control unit 135 in some implementations controlsthe encoded data A-1 and A-2 and the error correction code and/or errorcheck code which is generated based on the encoded data A-1 and A-2,which may all be stored on the second buffer 142, to be output andwritten onto the magnetic disk 20. In this case, the buffer control unit135 can partition the error check code and/or error correction code intopieces of data and can write the pieces of data into a writing area ofthe magnetic disk 20 at predetermined intervals (S380).

Subsequently, at a timing 810 between the phase 930 and a phase 940, thebuffer control unit 135 in some implementations controls the data B-2which is stored on the second storage area 146 to be encoded by theencoding unit 150, and controls the encoded data B-2 to be stored ontothe second buffer 142 (S360 and S365). The buffer control unit 135 canalso control the encoded data B-2 to be provided from the encoding unit150 to the error check code generating unit 145. As another example, thebuffer control unit 135 can store data C-1, which can be a differentformer half data than the data A-1 and data B-1, onto the first storagearea 144 at the timing 810 (S385).

In the phase 940, the error check code generating unit 145 in someimplementations generates an error check code and/or error correctioncode based on the encoded data B-1 and encoded data B-2. The buffercontrol unit 135 can store the error check code and/or error correctioncode which is generated by the error check code generating unit 145 ontothe second buffer 142 (S370).

In some implementations, at a timing 815 between the phase 940 and aphase 950, the buffer control unit 135 stores data C-2 (the data C-1 anddata C-2 together form one piece of data C), which can be a differentlatter half data than the data A-2 and data B-2, onto the second storagearea 146 (S405). Meanwhile, the buffer control unit 135 can control thedata C-1 which is stored on the first storage area 144 to be encoded bythe encoding unit 150, and can control the encoded data C-1 to be storedonto the second buffer 142 (S390 and S395). As another example, thebuffer control unit 135 can control the encoded data C-1 to be providedfrom the encoding unit 150 to the error check code generating unit 145.

In some implementations, before storing the encoded data C-1 onto thesecond buffer 142, the buffer control unit 135 can control the encodeddata B-1 and B-2 and the error correction code and/or error check codewhich is generated based on the encoded data B-1 and B-2, which are allstored on the second buffer 142, to be output and written into themagnetic disk 20. For example, the buffer control unit 135 can partitionthe error check code and/or error correction code into pieces of dataand write the pieces of data into a writing area of the magnetic disk 20at predetermined intervals (S400).

In some implementations, at a timing 820 between the phase 950 and thenext phase, the buffer control unit 135 controls the data C-2 which isstored on the second storage area 146 to be encoded by the encoding unit150, and can control the encoded data C-2 to be stored onto the secondbuffer 142 (S410). For example, the buffer control unit 135 can controlthe encoded data C-2 to be provided from the encoding unit 150 to theerror check code generating unit 145. Here, in the phase subsequent tothe phase 950, the error check code generating unit 145 can generate anerror check code and/or error correction code based on the encoded dataC-1 and encoded data C-2. The buffer control unit 135 can store theerror check code and/or error correction code generated by the errorcheck code generating unit 145 onto the second buffer 142 (S415).

In some implementations, the magnetic disk controller 10 divides onepiece of data into former half data and latter half data, and encodeseach of the former half data and latter half data. For example, themagnetic disk controller 10 can partition an error check code and/orerror correction code, which can be generated based on the encodedformer half data and encoded latter half data, into pieces of data, andcan store the pieces of data onto the magnetic disk 20 at predeterminedintervals.

FIG. 9 shows, as an example, writing of data into the magnetic disk 20that can be performed by, for example, the magnetic disk controller 10.To begin with, in a phase 900, the buffer control unit 135 can storedata A-1, which is part of data A, onto the first storage area 144 inthe first buffer 141. In a phase 910, the buffer control unit 135 cancontrol the data A-1 stored on the first storage area 144 to be encodedby the encoding unit 150, and can store the encoded data A-1 onto thesecond buffer 142. In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135controls the encoded data A-1 to be provided to the error check codegenerating unit 145. The buffer control unit 135 can store data A-2,which is the remaining portion of the data A, onto the second storagearea 146 in the first buffer 141.

Subsequently in a phase 920, the buffer control unit 135 in someimplementations stores data B-1, which is part of data B, onto the firststorage area 144. The buffer control unit 135 can control the data A-2stored on the second storage area 146 to be encoded by the encoding unit150, and can store the encoded data A-2 onto the second buffer 142. Thebuffer control unit 135 can control the encoded data A-2 to be providedto the error check code generating unit 145. The error check codegenerating unit 145 can generate an error check code and/or errorcorrection code for the data A based on the encoded data A-1 and encodeddata A-2. The buffer control unit 135 can store the error check codeand/or error correction code which is generated by the error check codegenerating unit 145 onto the second buffer 142.

In a phase 930, the buffer control unit 135 in some implementationsstores data B-2, which is the remaining portion of the data B, onto thesecond storage area 146. In some implementations, the buffer controlunit 135 controls the data B-1 which is stored on the first storage area144 to be encoded by the encoding unit 150, and can store the encodeddata B-1 onto the third buffer 143. The buffer control unit 135 cancontrol the encoded data B-1 to be provided to the error check codegenerating unit 145. In the phase 930, the buffer control unit 135 insome implementations provides the encoded data A-1, which is stored onthe second buffer 142, to the writing control unit 110. The writingcontrol unit 110 can write the encoded data A-1 into the magnetic disk20 (S932).

In the following phase 940, the buffer control unit 135 in someimplementations stores data C-1, which is part of data C, onto the firststorage area 144. The buffer control unit 135 can provide the encodeddata A-2, which is stored on the second buffer 142, to the writingcontrol unit 110. The writing control unit 110 can write the encodeddata A-2 into the magnetic disk 20 (S942). In some implementations, thewriting control unit 110 writes the error check code and/or errorcorrection code for the data A, which is stored on the second buffer142, into the magnetic disk 20.

In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controls the dataB-2 which is stored on the second storage area 146 to be encoded by theencoding unit 150, and can store the encoded data B-2 onto the thirdbuffer 143. The buffer control unit 135 can provide the encoded data B-2to the error check code generating unit 145. The error check codegenerating unit 145 can generate an error check code and/or errorcorrection code for the data B, based on the encoded data B-1 andencoded data B-2. The buffer control unit 135 can store the error checkcode and/or error correction code, which is generated by the error checkcode generating unit 145, onto the third buffer 143.

In a phase 950, the buffer control unit 135 in some implementationsstores data C-2, which is the remaining portion of the data C, onto thesecond storage area 146. The buffer control unit 135 can control thedata C-1 which is stored on the first storage area 144 to be encoded bythe encoding unit 150, and can store the encoded data C-1 onto thesecond buffer 142. The buffer control unit 135 can provide the encodeddata C-1 to the error check code generating unit 145. In the phase 950,the buffer control unit 135 in some implementations provides the encodeddata B-1 which is stored on the third buffer 143 to the writing controlunit 110. The writing control unit 110 can write the encoded data B-1into the magnetic disk 20 (S952).

Subsequently in the following phase 960, the buffer control unit 135 insome implementations stores data D-1, which is part of data D, onto thefirst storage area 144. The buffer control unit 135 can provide theencoded data B-2 which is stored on the third buffer 143 to the writingcontrol unit 110. The writing control unit 110 can write the encodeddata B-2 into the magnetic disk 20 (S962). In this case, the writingcontrol unit 110 can write the error check code and/or error correctioncode for the data B, which is stored on the third buffer 143, into themagnetic disk 20.

In some implementations, the buffer control unit 135 controls the dataC-2 which is stored on the second storage area 146 to be encoded by theencoding unit 150, and can store the encoded data C-2 onto the secondbuffer 142. The buffer control unit 135 can provide the encoded data C-2to the error check code generating unit 145. The error check codegenerating unit 145 can generate an error check code and/or errorcorrection code for the data C, based on the encoded data C-1 andencoded data C-2. The buffer control unit 135 can store the error checkcode and/or error correction code, which is generated by the error checkcode generating unit 145, onto the second buffer 142.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described, thetechnical scope of the invention is not limited to the above describedembodiments. It is apparent to persons skilled in the art that variousalternations and improvements can be added to the above-describedembodiments. It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that theembodiments added with such alternations or improvements can be includedin the technical scope of the invention.

For example, some embodiments of the present invention can write dataand an error check code into a magnetic disk immediately aftergenerating the error check code based on the data.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, other embodimentsare within the scope of the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of buffers;and circuitry configured to: encode data stored in one buffer of theplurality of buffers concurrently with storing data in another buffer ofthe plurality of buffers, and write the encoded data from the one bufferto a storage device concurrently with encoding the stored data in theother buffer.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the plurality ofbuffers and the circuitry are integrated onto a single chip.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein each buffer of the plurality of buffersstores encoded data and associated other information.
 24. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein the circuitry is configured to insert apredetermined amount of associated other information into the encodeddata at a predetermined interval.
 25. The apparatus of claim 21, whereinthe circuitry is configured to write associated other information to thestorage device when writing the encoded data.
 26. The apparatus of claim25, wherein the storage device comprises a hard drive, and theassociated other information comprises at least one of an error code anda physical address associated with the encoded data.
 27. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein the plurality of buffers includes an additionalbuffer, and the circuitry is configured to: encode the stored data inthe other buffer concurrently with storing data in the additionalbuffer, and write the encoded data from the other buffer to the storagedevice concurrently with encoding the stored data in the additionalbuffer.
 28. A system comprising: a storage device; and a controllerhaving a plurality of buffers including a first buffer and a secondbuffer; an encoding unit that encodes first data in the first bufferconcurrently with the second buffer storing second data; and a controlunit that writes the first encoded data from the first buffer to thestorage device concurrently with the encoding unit encoding the seconddata in the second buffer.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein thecontroller is a system-on-chip.
 30. The system of claim 28, wherein: thefirst buffer stores the first encoded data and associated first otherinformation; and the second buffer stores the second encoded data andassociated second other information.
 31. The system of claim 28, whereinthe control unit is configured to insert a predetermined amount ofassociated other information into the first encoded data at apredetermined interval.
 32. The system of claim 28, wherein the controlunit that writes the first encoded data from the first buffer to thestorage device comprises the control unit that writes the first encodeddata from the first buffer and associated other information to thestorage device.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the storage devicecomprises a hard drive, and the associated other information comprisesat least one of an error code and a physical address associated with thefirst encoded data.
 34. The system of claim 28, further comprising athird buffer, wherein: the encoding unit encodes the second data in thesecond buffer concurrently with the third buffer storing a third data;and a control unit that writes the second encoded data from the secondbuffer to the storage device concurrently with the encoding unitencoding the third data in the third buffer.
 35. A method comprising:storing data in a buffer; encoding the stored data in the bufferconcurrently with storing data in another buffer; and writing theencoded data from the buffer to a storage device concurrently withencoding the stored data in the other buffer.
 36. The method of claim35, further comprising: storing encoded data and associated otherinformation in the buffer.
 37. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising: inserting a predetermined amount of associated otherinformation into the encoded data at a predetermined interval.
 38. Themethod of claim 35, wherein writing the encoded data from the buffer tothe storage device comprises writing the encoded data from the bufferand associated other information to the storage device.
 39. The methodof claim 38, wherein the storage device comprises a hard drive, and theassociated other information comprises at least one of an error code anda physical address associated with the encoded data.
 40. The method ofclaim 35, further comprising: encoding the stored data in the otherbuffer concurrently with storing a data in an additional buffer; andwriting the encoded data from the other buffer to the storage deviceconcurrently with encoding the stored data in the additional buffer.